ULA epic – posted

[David Ure]

How similar is it to this:

http://www.backcountrygear.com/catalog/packdetail.cfm/GG359

The Granite Gear Vapor Flatbed

[Konrad .]

I am very glad Chris is backing up his statement in #4.

I sent him an email stating the following:

"Hello, i just saw the new epic pack that was released and noticed that the hipbelt/hip pockets is of the older 2008 conduit style. I was curious to know if you are willing to make a ohm or conduit using this older style hipbelt (wider belt, pockets permanently sewn)? I always use hipbelt pockets, so the removable feature is of little use to me. Plus, I like the weight distribution of the older 2008 style belt more. I see a lot of similar requests on the forums, and a large portion of the market preferred the older style belt. Please let me know. Thank you!"

to which he replied:

"Konrad, The next batch of Ohms will have a belt/ pocket like you mentioned"

So freaking glad I waited to get an Ohm until now. Super excited

[David Chenault]

I think it looks rad. I hope the realitively substanital weight for the material means that it's a good load monster. I'm thinking this would be good for carrying mountain bikes through wilderness, and for hauling out mule deer and elk quarters this fall.

The only commercially made pack I'm interested in right now.

Anyone want to buy a BZM-made Arcflex Alpine?

[Ken Thompson]

Konrad. I'm glad I bought an Ohm before they changed it as I thought they would. A win for both of us!

[Steven Evans]

Chris, thanks for letting us know what the changes are.

also the front mesh pocket is bellowed and zippered making it much more functional,with a bag in the old style and the compression strap running over it the pocket ended up being not as useful as it could be

Good call. When I have my Arctic pack stuffed, the front pocket is really tight except for flat/slim items.

I like how you can now use any drybag. And the buckle/slot failure risk is eliminated now.

[Robert Blean]

David U asked: how similar is it to the Granite Gear Vapor Flatbed?

The blue barrels you use with the flatbed are not light. I just checked at Piragis and 30L = 4.4 lbs, 60L = 7.9 lbs.

The description says it can carry a large dry bag instead of a barrel, though — but they do not say how much weight it can handle. That would be interesting to know. I would hope it can carry a pretty good weight, since it can carry a 60L barrel.

David C said:
I hope the relatively substantial weight for the material means that it's a good load monster.

I noted that its suggested max weight is 40 lbs — I was surprised, considering it is for "epic" trips. A 30-day trip is not unreasonable for an "epic". At 1.5-2 lbs food per day, that is 45-60 lbs of just food.

–MV

[Ed Tyanich]

"How similar is it to this:

http://www.backcountrygear.com/catalog/packdetail.cfm/GG359

The Granite Gear Vapor Flatbed"

Intresting pack. I asked Dan Crookshank at Granite Gear about making a Vapor Flatbed several years ago. At the time he didn't think there was a market. I have been very happy with my Stratos Flatbed for monster loads and thought the same basic pack built lighter for lighter loads would be useful. I just might have to get one of these.

[Greg Mihalik]

Don't lose sight of the fact that –

A GG Flatbed frame/hipbelt weighs 36 ounces.
A similar NRS product weighs 42 ounces.

The Absaroka frame and hipbelt weighs 10 ounces.
The complete Absaroka frame/hipbelt/pack weighs 32 ounces.

And a "lighter" version is in the works.

[David Ure]

Hi Bob – yes, I was aware of the weight of the big blue barrel. I was thinking that even at 36oz and only $125, it is 4oz off the ULA product and considerably cheaper (I have seen it as low as $80).

[Robert Blean]

David,

For real "epic" trips, it would be worth the extra 4 oz if it could carry significantly more than the 40 lbs the ULA is rated for. Given that it is Granite Gear, and rated for a 60L barrel, I am hoping so

I have sent their customer support email asking about that. I do not expect to hear back before early this coming week, though.

–MV

[David Ure]

Let us know what GG comes back with. Although the ULA Epic is cheaper than the previous version, Lordy – $275 for just a harness is a bit up there in price.

[EndoftheTrail]

"Lordy – $275 for just a harness is a bit up there in price."

That's because you can vary the size of the pack with different sized dry bags. Considering they cost from between $10 and $25 – suck it up.

You obviously don't remember the Arctic 1000 pack – over $300.

[David Ure]

Thanks for re-iterating my post. That was before I found the same thing for less than 1/2 price.

[EndoftheTrail]

You're welcome. The pleasure is all mine. :)

[David Chenault]

"I noted that its suggested max weight is 40 lbs — I was surprised, considering it is for "epic" trips. A 30-day trip is not unreasonable for an "epic". At 1.5-2 lbs food per day, that is 45-60 lbs of just food."

I've never used a ULA pack, so I'm not familiar with their suspension system. Given that I find a frameless pack with a rolled foam mat perfectly comfy for 30 lbs or a bit more, I think that the Epic might work for 50+.

We shall see.

[Kevin Lutz]

http://www.kondosoutdoors.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=KO&Product_Code=BH30&Category_Code=CPG

[Ed Tyanich]

David,

I had an Arctic Ultra, actually two, but thats another story.
Anyway, it carried 50-60 lbs as well as anything I have used. My thoughts were the same as yours as far as packing elk & deer parts.

I ended up selling them because where I hunt elk there are enough griz & wolves that if you don't get it out the same day you might not have much meat left.

Last year I packed out three elk in four days along with a partner on each trip. We boned the elk and packed everything in one trip each. The heaviest was a bull I shot, where my pack weighed 125 and my buddies was 135. Not ultralight for sure. My Granite Gear Stratos Flatbed worked well but I liked my friends Kifaru Longhunter enough that I bought one for this next season.

I think the Epic would work fine for mule deer, sheep etc and even elk with reasonable loads. I might try one out myself.

[Hendrik Morkel]

I did a ULA Epic Video last weekend, and this is the result after editing. I hope this helps to get a good understanding of how the pack can work and be used. It is a great pack!

[David Stenberg]

Hendrik, thanks for posting the video. It was helpful to see the pack in use instead of still photos. Thanks for sharing and great blog! I enjoy the week in review.

[Lawson Kline]

Nice Job on the video.

[Martin Rye]

Hendrik great vid and good review.

[Joery Truyen]

Great job Hendrik! Now I'm wondering what drybag you use. I noticed it's a Seal Line but I don't seem to find that specific model you are using on their website. It's dimensions look more ideal than the 70l Sea to Summit pack liner I'm using at the moment.

Love the backpack but mine shows already a lot of abrasion on the frame at the side of the drybag but this is probably resulting from the slippery fabric of the drybag I'm using. Now I put a piece of sleeping pad between the frame and the drybag and this seems to be better. Have you experienced the same issue with the drybags you are using?

The side release buckles are fragile by the way, the male parts bend easily. Had to replace several.

[David Chenault]

Finally details of one in the flesh! Thanks.

[Author]

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